Blue Pennsylvania: An Easy Way to Make Our Voices Heard

Not that long ago, I participated in a group that requested that the School District of Philadelphia institute a voter registration and education policy in its district schools.  We testified at school board meetings and held rallies, but after receiving lip service and token actions for close to four years, we added another approach.

We asked our supporters to send an automated email – not only to school board members, but also to members of City Council – requesting that the board adopt a voter registration and education policy.  Close to 2000 people responded.

Now, when you are a school board member receiving 2000 emails from the community, plus phone calls from City Council members, you take notice.  Within a month of instituting our automated emails, the school board voted to adopt the voter registration and education resolution. 

I am providing this account to address those critics who simply write off such tactics as having little or no utility. 

Certainly a phone call or a hand-written letter may be more effective than a single automated email.  But a flood of such emails definitely has its advantages.

Which brings us to the present matter.  Last week’s Blue Pennsylvania email asked readers to contact their state senators about ending their sluggish approach to finalizing the 2026/27 budget. 

This week, we have set up an mail process that allows you to automatically contact your state senator about this matter. You can begin by clicking here. If you have an extra minute or two, you can strengthen the email by:

1.   Using your own words;

2.   Personalizing the email.  Why is a timely budget important to you?  Will it affect your property taxes, or will a family member lose income, or something else;

3.   Considering the following topics:

a.   Last year’s budget was late, and people lost their jobs, and school districts and nonprofits needed to take out loans, sometimes very steep loans;

b.   The Governor has already proposed a budget for next fiscal year, and the PA House has already approved it.  The State Senate, however, has done nothing;

4.   Requesting, not demanding a response;

5.   Being concise and not too wordy.

Rank Choice Voting

Speaking of automatic emails, don’t forget to check out how you can automatically contact your state rep around the Rank Choice Voting bill in the General Assembly: HB 123. 

Also, please check out this request from our partners at March on Harrisburg:

On May 28, Philadelphia's City Council will vote on a resolution, introduced by Councilperson Nic O'Rourke, in support of Ranked Choice Voting. This is an important step in pressuring the state legislature to take up action on allowing ranked choice voting in Pennsylvania! After this, we will be working with other cities and counties to also press the state for RCV. But first, we need a big show of support when our resolution comes up for a vote in Philly.

Will you join us at the city council meeting on Thursday, May 28? We've been advised to arrive before 10:00 am, and be sure to bring ID to enter the building. Feel free to also bring a sign expressing your support!

If you have questions, or to let us know you will be coming, you can send them to this email.

Thank you! 

Rose J. and the March On Harrisburg RCV Team

Thanks,

Coleman